Comment from Delahay

Excellent

This sort of thing has happened far to often in far too many places. There is no excuse for the way the church has refused to do anything to end this despicable abuse. It is a disgrace that they are more worried about covering their backsides than caring for the victims. How can anyone ever again be able trust the ones we should have been able to trust the most after all that has happened?

 Comment Written 04-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 04-Mar-2016

Hi Delahay, Yes you are quite right. but I think now that this has gone to Rome in a big way surely they will have to do something, bit I wont hold my breath. Thanks for your review ,rating and feedback Cheers Christine 😀

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

Hi Christine. I happened upon this poem while looking for your "Picture This" group post. This poem is well done, both in content and form. Your use of several internal and end rhymes is smooth and shows forethought. Content gives pause to those who trust their children alone with clergy of any religion and why the devoted chose not to participate in organized religion. Thank you for writing this. Marilyn

 Comment Written 03-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Mar-2016

Hi Marilyn, Thanks again for having a read of this poem which I felt compelled to write with everything that is happening around this awful subject and to lend my support to the local victims of child sexual abuse within our regional churches.
I have been a little busy lately and did not get around to write a challenge piece this time but have read some great responses and still reading and reviewing them . I hope next time I will do one. but thanks for thinking of me Many Cheers Christine

Comment from dmt1967

Excellent

I have known people who have suffered and I am glad more children are speaking out. This picture shows the pain and hurt of the child who never gets over their abuse. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 03-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Mar-2016

Hi dmt1967' Many thanks for your support for my poem and this needed to be said and it is close to home withon in my community in Ballarat. I do appreciate your feedback andhope that some justice is served in Rome Cheers Christine😃

Comment from robyn corum

Excellent

1.) Wear the black, upon (your?) back, until these demons you attack

Christine,

You're right. This is a heinous crime, and to the youngest of us all. It should not go unpunished and should not be covered up. I don't care WHO has done the deed. I think you've handled the topic tastefully and well. Good job!

 Comment Written 02-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

Thank You Robyn so much I am rellay pleased you thought I had done this in a tasteful way. I tried to be so careful with my word choice and construction and didn't want to be seen to be vicious or nasty and so I was a little hesitant to post this but then the Cardinals unrelenting denial forced my hand and so I thought I would add my voice. ( I have had a call from our local paper and they are going to also publish it so I am doubly pleased .Many thanks for your wonderful support Cheers Christine

reply by robyn corum on 02-Mar-2016

Hey! Congratulations!!!!!

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

Thanks ,and have fixed up the 'your' ta muchly Cx

Comment from Douglas Paul

Excellent

I think you did a splendid job on this. Your notes were very informative . I love the internal rhyme pattern you used in your lines. Very creative and a very important message on this tragic issue

 Comment Written 02-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

Hi Douglas, thanks so much and yes I never thought I would write a poem about this, but enough is enough and as this is so close to home I wanted to give my support in another way ( I think this may also ne published in our local newspaper, so waiting for todays edition ) As a.ways your support and feeback welcomed Many Cheers Christine. 😃

Comment from Pantygynt

Excellent

There are many people on this site who have suffered in their childhood from punishment what would now be considered child abuse, and the reputation of the Catholic church around the world is not a good one. Then of course there is the matter of sexual abuse which in my view is a totally different matter though it seems that the two often go hand in hand. A life of celibacy imposed from without whether in convent, monastery or in the marginally more worldly atmosphere of the presbytery is unnatural and has outlived its usefulness. One can be perfectly "holy" inside a normal sexual relationship as many religious adherents to other versions of Christianity have demonstrated.

Remove at least some of the temptation and I am convinced we would be half way there.

 Comment Written 02-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

Hi Pantygynt. Thanks for reading and reviewing and rating my poem so well. I felt the need to have my say re this awful situation and Yes I would totally agree with your sentiments re being Holy it seems to be such a bizzare ritual celibacy and makes no real sense to me. and as you say other religions don't have such a strict unnatural rule. I think there are so many dissapointed and angry Catholic religious people in the world who have viewed this whole sorry situation of child sexual abise as abbhorent and the Church is still not really taking ownership . I am not at all surprised at Cardinal Pells latest denials that ' he didn't know!!!! Enough said, bit thanks so much for your feedback Cheers Christine😀

Comment from DonandVicki

Excellent

I will congratulate you on this Christine for having the wherewithal to write this well written piece about the horror of child abuse, especially by people whom children trust and innocently love.

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

HI DonandVicki, Thank you so much for your support and great feedback .I am so pleased you thought it worthy. I do hope something will transpire fro the Royal Commision bit not holding my breath. Cheers to you and have a great day. Christine

Comment from bob cullen

Exceptional

I am a practicing Australian Catholic and I confess I am appalled by Cardinal Pell's unchristian attitude. As one of the most senior ranking members of the Church I am of the belief he should follow the path Jesus would follow were he answering the accusations.
I have no doubt Jesus would respond with total truth. He would confront his accusers and answer them truthfully. He would offer compassion and true compensation. Where is He when we need Him?
Cardinal Pell, please follow His path.

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

Hi Bob, Thank you very much for reading my poem and for your heartfelt response. I am sure there are many practicing Catholics worldwide who feel like you do and dissapointed with Cardinal Pells response. I am not at all surprised that his attitude is one of a lack of compassion and still hiding away. But I am so glad that the victims were able to go and face him.
Makes one question everything about the church when you would expect truth and compassion form the highest. Hmmmmm
Nice to meet you and appreciate your support. Cheers Christine

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

Hi Bob, Thank you very much for reading my poem and for your heartfelt response. I am sure there are many practicing Catholics worldwide who feel like you do and dissapointed with Cardinal Pells response. I am not at all surprised that his attitude is one of a lack of compassion and still hiding away. But I am so glad that the victims were able to go and face him.
Makes one question everything about the church when you would expect truth and compassion form the highest. Hmmmmm
Nice to meet you and appreciate your support. Cheers Christine

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

Hi Bob, Thank you very much for reading my poem and for your heartfelt response. I am sure there are many practicing Catholics worldwide who feel like you do and dissapointed with Cardinal Pells response. I am not at all surprised that his attitude is one of a lack of compassion and still hiding away. But I am so glad that the victims were able to go and face him.
Makes one question everything about the church when you would expect truth and compassion form the highest. Hmmmmm
Nice to meet you and appreciate your support. Cheers Christine

Comment from foxangie123

Excellent

Nice drawing you chose to go with the writing you have created. Really they are like pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together. Keep em coming.

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

Hi foxangie123. Many thanks for having a read and giving me a review for my poem so much appreciated. I took a long time to find an appropriate image and this one I felt was the best one. Cheers to you and have a great day Cheers Christine😃

reply by foxangie123 on 02-Mar-2016

Wonderful writing.

reply by foxangie123 on 02-Mar-2016

I'm back. You are so good with writing.

reply by the author on 02-Mar-2016

hugs to yo

Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin

Excellent

Hi, Christine

= Such an excellent write.
= I'm not sure why/how covering up such behavior is acceptable in a priests, preachers, etc., eyes, as per the church covering up such heinous activity.
= No matter what religion, it is never an option in God's eyes and views it as intolerable.

* Cheers & Blessings *
Keep Smilin'... Jackie <> Jax (*<*)

 Comment Written 01-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 01-Mar-2016

Hi Jackie, Thanks for your great feedback and review for my poem ( almost didn't post it but I am I did now) This is such a difficult subject to write about but many voices can carry such weight. Many Cheers to you and have a lovely day. Christine